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Morsels: Tales of Love and Passion
A stripper gets caught in the act of impersonating a goddess...
A painter makes her work come to life... literally. But there is a price to pay...
Two Sapphic edge players put the pieces of a flower arrangement to unusual uses on their first date...
Need a quick bite? Here are some short stories that might satisfy you, whether your tastes run to the sweet, the savory, or even a touch of bitterness. But be some of these amuse-bouches are as spicy as ghost peppers.
A painter makes her work come to life... literally. But there is a price to pay...
Two Sapphic edge players put the pieces of a flower arrangement to unusual uses on their first date...
Need a quick bite? Here are some short stories that might satisfy you, whether your tastes run to the sweet, the savory, or even a touch of bitterness. But be some of these amuse-bouches are as spicy as ghost peppers.
125 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 24, 2024
3 people want to read
About the author
Sera Maddox Drake
3 books14 followersSera Maddox Drake is an independent, self-published author who specializes in literary erotica with esoteric, occult themes. Their work has a special focus on the viewpoints of neurodiverse, queer characters.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 2, 2025
{5⭐️}
{Thank you to Reeds Discovery for providing me this ARC!}
Sera Drake is back with a short story collection to rival their debut piece, Ancilla. These short stories range from a dissolving relationship stuck in their rinse-and-repeat cycle to a yarn-specific sexual escapade.
Each story is only a tiny snapshot, and left me wanting more. It's normally pretty easy for me to get bored of short stories, but I found myself eagerly throwing myself into the multiple worlds and clearly thought-out relationships Drake created. Notably, we experience a darker version of Disney's Beauty and the Beast that marks an alarming start to the collection. I wanted to immerse myself fully into Drake's retelling, but immediately found myself launched into another story.
Even when we're watching a couple fight, it's so hot. (To note: this scene is both upsetting and incredibly sensual. Drake shares that we're supposed to feel torn in this way, and I have to admit - they were successful.) Drake is a pro at playing with the reader's emotions in a way that I am slightly terrified of.
As always with Drake's work, I have to note the variety of trigger warnings throughout Morsels. While I did have to skip through one piece for a particular trigger (Ancilla readers will be familiar), I was definitely in the right place and time to enjoy this collection. Readers should be careful and review Drake's preface before diving in.
Drake's focus on neurodivergent, queer characters also needs to be noted. There aren't enough authors writing about these types of characters without making it about being neurodivergent or queer.
If you are someone who's tired of the hetero-normative blandness of Fifty Shades of Grey, give Morsels a try. And when you love it, pick up Ancilla right after. I'm glad to be watching Drake's rise in the erotica scene, and can't wait for what they've yet to write.
{Thank you to Reeds Discovery for providing me this ARC!}
Sera Drake is back with a short story collection to rival their debut piece, Ancilla. These short stories range from a dissolving relationship stuck in their rinse-and-repeat cycle to a yarn-specific sexual escapade.
Each story is only a tiny snapshot, and left me wanting more. It's normally pretty easy for me to get bored of short stories, but I found myself eagerly throwing myself into the multiple worlds and clearly thought-out relationships Drake created. Notably, we experience a darker version of Disney's Beauty and the Beast that marks an alarming start to the collection. I wanted to immerse myself fully into Drake's retelling, but immediately found myself launched into another story.
Even when we're watching a couple fight, it's so hot. (To note: this scene is both upsetting and incredibly sensual. Drake shares that we're supposed to feel torn in this way, and I have to admit - they were successful.) Drake is a pro at playing with the reader's emotions in a way that I am slightly terrified of.
As always with Drake's work, I have to note the variety of trigger warnings throughout Morsels. While I did have to skip through one piece for a particular trigger (Ancilla readers will be familiar), I was definitely in the right place and time to enjoy this collection. Readers should be careful and review Drake's preface before diving in.
Drake's focus on neurodivergent, queer characters also needs to be noted. There aren't enough authors writing about these types of characters without making it about being neurodivergent or queer.
If you are someone who's tired of the hetero-normative blandness of Fifty Shades of Grey, give Morsels a try. And when you love it, pick up Ancilla right after. I'm glad to be watching Drake's rise in the erotica scene, and can't wait for what they've yet to write.
April 30, 2025
Morsels: Tales of Love and Passion by Sera Maddox Drake has eight short stories and two excerpts from their novel, Ancilla.
In “A Tale as Old as Time”, we get to see a moment with Belle and the Beast, that is definitely not something Disney would have put forth. More like the Grimm Brothers mixed with some beastly love.
“A Rose by Any Other Name” incorporates a romantic dinner with some bondage, and will have you looking at roses in a different light in the future, at least I know I will. And Drake has a lot of roses on her property, per their About the Author on Amazon, so it makes me wonder if they like roses for more than just their scent.
“The Alpaca Yarn Incident” is a chance encounter at a RenFaire that leads to marriage and a night of bliss, mixed with some Monty Python and other nerdy topics.
“One of the Girls” takes us into a seedy strip club where one of the ladies has gotten her hands on a Goddess’s garter. What happens when the Goddess realizes it? You’ll have to read the story to find out.
Just how far will one person go for “The Muse” to stay around and continue to give them works of art on canvas and in dreams. This might have been my favorite of the short stories. It was so surreal, and beautiful.
“Diving into the Wreck” has a lengthy disclaimer due to a BDSM relationship that has soured and gone on way past the expiration date. It was uncomfortable for me to read, not triggering, but not a relationship I would ever want to be in. The kind you wonder why they stayed, but love/lust/desire/life is messy and horrible and beautiful.
“Anything for a Friend” has its own triggers for suicide. And while the ending should have come as no surprise, there still was a bit of it. I thought the lead up was interesting too. They were going to reminisce until the end, which was what I had figured, but by now with Drake’s stories, I should have instantly thought there would be lots of pain, along with the pleasure that comes from a long friendship.
“Parliament of Rooks” was a version of the creation story told/foretold/retold in a dream-like state. The knowledge the earth and the creatures have seen and passed through their lineage is something humans will probably never know, but perhaps some of us do.
The last two excerpts from Ancilla were interesting to be able to get a glimpse into the entire book to see if it is something one would want to read.
“The Magus” showed two nerdy/geeky people finding their person. The writers they discussed were interesting, but I did find it a bit… not pretentious, but pretentious. It didn’t annoy me, or make me think these people thought highly of themselves and looked down on others. It was just their interests, and they were really into them. To read about it, didn’t do much for me. I think this would be the case where I would actually want to sit down with Drake (or people like these characters) and discuss the things with them. To have a back and forth, instead of someone just telling me about these topics.
I enjoyed Drake's interpretation of a magical and spiritual system in “Malkuth”. It’s not a system I would want to join in, but I do realize there are various systems like these that people do belong to. As always, I like reading about magick and how others practice. I just personally lean towards a more Solitary practice, or would even consider an all woman/womyn one.
“Morsels” is a great introduction to Drake’s writing, and if you are looking for something spicy to read with your lover before coming together, or just to read for your own pleasure, this is a book I highly recommend.
In “A Tale as Old as Time”, we get to see a moment with Belle and the Beast, that is definitely not something Disney would have put forth. More like the Grimm Brothers mixed with some beastly love.
“A Rose by Any Other Name” incorporates a romantic dinner with some bondage, and will have you looking at roses in a different light in the future, at least I know I will. And Drake has a lot of roses on her property, per their About the Author on Amazon, so it makes me wonder if they like roses for more than just their scent.
“The Alpaca Yarn Incident” is a chance encounter at a RenFaire that leads to marriage and a night of bliss, mixed with some Monty Python and other nerdy topics.
“One of the Girls” takes us into a seedy strip club where one of the ladies has gotten her hands on a Goddess’s garter. What happens when the Goddess realizes it? You’ll have to read the story to find out.
Just how far will one person go for “The Muse” to stay around and continue to give them works of art on canvas and in dreams. This might have been my favorite of the short stories. It was so surreal, and beautiful.
“Diving into the Wreck” has a lengthy disclaimer due to a BDSM relationship that has soured and gone on way past the expiration date. It was uncomfortable for me to read, not triggering, but not a relationship I would ever want to be in. The kind you wonder why they stayed, but love/lust/desire/life is messy and horrible and beautiful.
“Anything for a Friend” has its own triggers for suicide. And while the ending should have come as no surprise, there still was a bit of it. I thought the lead up was interesting too. They were going to reminisce until the end, which was what I had figured, but by now with Drake’s stories, I should have instantly thought there would be lots of pain, along with the pleasure that comes from a long friendship.
“Parliament of Rooks” was a version of the creation story told/foretold/retold in a dream-like state. The knowledge the earth and the creatures have seen and passed through their lineage is something humans will probably never know, but perhaps some of us do.
The last two excerpts from Ancilla were interesting to be able to get a glimpse into the entire book to see if it is something one would want to read.
“The Magus” showed two nerdy/geeky people finding their person. The writers they discussed were interesting, but I did find it a bit… not pretentious, but pretentious. It didn’t annoy me, or make me think these people thought highly of themselves and looked down on others. It was just their interests, and they were really into them. To read about it, didn’t do much for me. I think this would be the case where I would actually want to sit down with Drake (or people like these characters) and discuss the things with them. To have a back and forth, instead of someone just telling me about these topics.
I enjoyed Drake's interpretation of a magical and spiritual system in “Malkuth”. It’s not a system I would want to join in, but I do realize there are various systems like these that people do belong to. As always, I like reading about magick and how others practice. I just personally lean towards a more Solitary practice, or would even consider an all woman/womyn one.
“Morsels” is a great introduction to Drake’s writing, and if you are looking for something spicy to read with your lover before coming together, or just to read for your own pleasure, this is a book I highly recommend.
July 9, 2025
This is the first time I read book in this genre. I had tried to read outside my usual preferences, and most often than not, I am pleasantly surprised. This book is probably one of the few that exceeds my expectation.
Despite bracing myself for, ehm, adult content, Morsels: Tales of Love and Passion is classier and smarter than many books I have read. It has good amount of snide, satire, and funny snippets. Despite it being a collection of short stories, the tales flows flawlessly and well-written. Some ends a bit abruptly like The Alpaca Yarn Incident one but it still serves its purpose.
The first story captures my attention right away, it is based on classic tale Beauty and the Beast. After all, what is being explored in this story is probably the question that everyone must have, right?
I love the illustration at the beginning of every story and the cover.
Overall, a recommended read. I don't think this should be restricted by ages, because, imo, everyone can enjoy it. The stories are smart, funny, and entertaining.
January 9, 2025
I'm a big fan of Drake’s writing and this collection of short stories did not disappoint. It really showcases the author's writing talent, portraying varied forms of love and passion, sometimes in extreme ways (check content warnings before a few stories). Several are wonderfully erotic (with BDSM elements), several quite humorous, and several were very hard to read emotionally. But that's what good writing does: It challenges you to think and feel, even if those feelings are uncomfortable. 'Morsels' also includes two sample chapters from Drake's novel 'Ancilla' which I also recommend.
July 10, 2025
This collection is bold - raw, strange, and sometimes downright haunting. Definitely not for the faint-hearted or anyone expecting sweet, tidy love stories. Some of the pieces made me pause, some made me wince, but I’ll be damned if it wasn’t memorable. Feels like sitting in on someone’s fever dream about desire, power, and pain, and not being sure if you should be intrigued or a little worried.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews